Installing a Central Air Conditioner

Air conditioning is a luxury that many people now have in their homes out of necessity. That may sound contradictory but the climate change that has occurred in many parts of the world has lead to unseasonably hot weather and overriding humidity.

As such, it is often impossible to get comfortable in your own home and keep your body working at its optimum level. Air conditioner installation can help to keep your home or business cool.

Many people employ contractors for their central air conditioner installation but that is not necessary all of the time. In fact, if you are experienced in home improvements then you can actually do it yourself providing that your work is up to the building code applicable in your area. You may prefer to call in a professional following your work but it is entirely possible to install it yourself. However, you should call an electrician to help you with that aspect of installation to ensure that your mains are not supporting too much.

Installing a Central Air Conditioner Step By Step

Below are the step-by-step guides to install a central air conditioner. Follow these to the letter and you will find your home cooler in no time:

1. Plan out the ductwork first. You do not want to have to worry about this later. Consult with the plans for your home and plan out how to work with the space that you have. You need to ensure that you have enough space to take the air conditioning to the necessary rooms before you install the central air conditioner. Install the ducts first in easily accessible areas, ensuring that the ducts are clear and ready to go.

2. Install the air handler. This should preferably be installed in the basement following manufacturer guidelines. It should not be placed near a concrete wall but should be fitted with a condensation drain. The tube should run to the outside of your home, away from your foundations.

3. Turn off the mains to your home and install the compressor. It should be placed around 12 inches from your building and any shrubs you may have growing in the garden. Level off the ground and place a plastic base on it. The compressor should go on top of this and then be connected to the mains before they are switched back on. You may want to employ an electrician to do this for you.

4. Before connecting the compressor to the mains, you should drill two holes through your outer wall. One should be the width of the refrigeration tube with the other being for the electrical tube. When the tubes have been placed through the hole, fill in any remaining gaps with a strong filler to ensure that there is no leakage or movement.

5. Your compressor and air handler should now be connected to the mains supply. It is essential that you make sure that your mains can support the load placed on it by the central air conditioner because it is extremely dangerous to just connect it without checking its capability and requirements. You may need a new sub-panel to accommodate it.

If you would like to control the temperature and your central air conditioner does not include a thermostat, and some of them do not, you will need to install one separately.

Before you do switch it on for the first time, go around your system and check every aspect to make sure that it is installed properly. After that, it will no doubt provide you with a lot of years’ service.